UCI, UK Anti-Doping respond to parliamentary report

by CyclingTips

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The UCI and UK Anti-Doping both responded to the report from a British parliamentary committee in a similar manner on Monday, stating independently that they will push WADA to add corticosteroids like triamcinolone, as well as the painkiller tramadol, to the prohibited substances list. Neither body appears set to open a further investigation of its own in light of the report’s findings.

WADA recently convened a Glucosteroid Expert Working Group, which determined that no changes should be made to the status of glucosteroids (which includes drugs like triamcinolone). Triamcinolone is banned in competition but is not banned out of competition. Tramadol is legal in and out of competition. Both governing bodies are bound by the WADA code, and cannot unilaterally ban the substances.

“The UCI has requested, and will continue to request, that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) take additional steps in relation to corticosteroids and Tramadol,” the UCI’s press release states.

UKAD set forth a similar stance. The body has “in the past made representations that [triamcinolone] and other glucocorticoids should be banned at all times (including out of competition) … UKAD will continue to push for this change.”

UKAD specifically addressed the closure of its investigation into the infamous jiffy bag, which ended in November 2017. It noted that the investigation remains closed: “As with all investigations, UKAD may revisit matters if new material and information were to come to light but we are no longer actively following any lines of enquiry in relation to this matter. UKAD will not comment further in relation to this.”